Sealing device for hydraulic gates



Nov. 8, 1927.

E. L. BROOME SEALING DEVICE FOR HYDRAULIC GATES nto@ mame

2 Shets-Shyeet 1 fjfyf attoznu Nov. 8, 927. 1,648,535 E. L. BROOMESEALING DEVICE FOR HYDRAULIC GATES Filed Feb. 1'7. 1927 2 Sheets-Sheet 2NIMF,

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anne/nto@ goma/A n 5 Patented Nov. 8, 1927.

UNITEDl STATES PATENT OFFICE.

EBNESTL. BECOME, vF TARRYTOWN NEW YORK.

' SEALING DEVICE FOR HYDRAULIC GATES.

Application filed February 17, 1927. Serial No. 169,066.

This invention relates to a sealing device adapted to be used inconnection with hydraulic gates of various types used in controlling theflow of water from dams, and

similar structures wherein the gates have an up and down or rotarymovement.

The object of the invention is to provide a flexible seal for closingthe space between the movable gateand the sides `of the gate opening,which will insure the minimum leakage with the least possible damagefrom abrasion to the flexible seal, which flexible seal being underconstant tension due to the action of the counterweight willautomatically be laid in operative relation to the sides of the openingand withdrawn therefrom as the gate is shut and opened, said sealreadily adapting itself to the contour of the opening. The tensionalforce in the v present device is supplied by counterweights, and thesame may be used in connection with the ordinary counterweights,

such as are often used to aid infthefoperation of gates of thischaracter, or in lieu thereof.

The specific construction of the invention and the advantages resultingtherefrom will be more particularly explained in connection with theaccompanying drawings illustrating the same. v

In the drawings:

Figure 1 is a vertical cross section of one type of hydraulic gateshowing the application of my invention. l

Figure 2 is a partial down stream elevation of the same. i

- Figure 3 is an enlarged horizontal section through one side of thegate and the adjacent masonry, showing the flexible seal in place.

Fi ure 4 is a view similar to Figure 1,

y but s owingthe invention applied to a different type of gate.

Figure 5 is a similar view showing the invention applied to stillanother type of ate. g In Figures 1, 2 andy 3, the invention isillustrated in connection with a dam construction 10, having an openingprovided with a gate 11, pivoted to swing upwardly about an axis 12 whenopening. This gate is provided with the usual curved cylindrical surface13,-with the convex face disposed toward the impounded water. When thegate is closed, its lower edge 14 usually rests upon a smooth seat 15,formed by a strip of vood or metal set in the concrete or masonry ase.

This invention comprises a flexible element 16, which may be in the formof a rope, or it may be composed, partly or wholly, of rubber, rubberfabric, or similar material. The lower end ofk this flexible elementpasses through an opening in the lower edge 14 of the gate, which isjust large enough to receive it, and is provided with a knot 17, orequivalent means, to prevent it from pulling out. The flexible element16 extends lalong the edge of the curved surface 13, and

thence in a straight line over a chafing iron 18, or other guiding meanslocated at the upper edge of the masonry, and over suitable sheaves 19and 20 supported above the masonry. eights 21 are secured to the upperend of the rope, and serve to keep the latter taut, as well as to assistin raising the gate. It is understood, of course, that there is one ofthese flexible elements at each side of the gate. 1

In order to provide a smooth surface for engagement by the seal, a strip22, of wood or metal, is set in the masonry. The adjacent edge of thegate is provided with a chock 23, having an inclined surface 24, whichcooperates with the surface 22 to provide a wedge-shaped seat into whichthe sealing element 16 is forced by the pressure of the water, thusforming a substantially leak-proof seal. As the gate is raised, thesealing element'is progressively drawn away from the surface of thegate, so that there is a minimum frictional resistance offered to themovement of the gate. As soon .as the gate is lowered again, the sealingelement is automatically drawn into the space between the chock 23 andthe surface 22, and again forms an veffective seal.

In Figure 4, the invention is shown in connection with a dam 25, havingan opening controlled by a gate 26, which opens by swinging downwardlyabout an axis 27. When the gate is closed, its lower edge 28 engages aseat 29 set in the lower` edge of the opening. The side of the openinghas a smooth surface 31 of wood or metal adjacent to which the gate isprovided with a chock 32. A flexible sealing element 33 is secured by aknot 34, or the like, to the upper corner of the gate, and passes thencedownwardly between the surface 31 `and the chock 32, and about a sheaveS5 mounted near the lower edge of the opening. From the sheave 35, thesealing element passes upwardly 'l through a tube or groove 36 in theside of the masonry, and over sheaves 37 and 38.

seen, therefore, that the actionv of the seal- `ing element in this typeof gate is substantially the same. as in the type shown in Fig# ures 1,2 and 3.

In Figure 5, the invention is used in connection with a dam 40, havingan opening which is controlled by ra vertically movable gate 41. Whenthe gate is closed, its lower edge 42 rests upon asmooth seat 43 set inthe masonry, and a vertical strip 44, at the side of the opening,cooperates with a chock 45 carried by `the adjacent edgeof the gate toform a seat for the sealing element 46,l which is similar to the sealingelement used in connection with the other types of` gates. The lower endofthe sealing element 46 is anchored in the lower edge of the gate by aknot 47, or equivalent means, and passes upwardly at the edge lof thegate, and over sheaves 48 and'f49 supported abovethe surface of themasonry. Weights 50 are connected tothe upper end of thesealing element46, and serve to hold the latter taut, as well as to-assist in raisingthe gate.

From the foregoing description, it willbe apparent that I have providedla sealing device, which is capable of use on many'types of hydraulicgates, and which will be autos maticall drawn into the angle between thegate an the fixed surface of the opening as rapidly as the gate isclosed. The pressure` of the lwater itself serves to force the seal moretightly`into contact with the adjacentg y surfaces, and to preventleakage.

. the scope of the a pended claims.

terweight connected therewith may be comf bined with any of the usual.counterweight systems used in the operation off gates without affectingthe essential characters of the invention. It is my intention,therefore, to include all such modifications as fall within IWhat istclaime 1s: 1. The combination with a hydraulic'gate movable up and downbetween fixed upright surfaces, of a flexible sealing element connectedto the gate, and means for laying said flexible element along the crackat the edge of the gate as the latter is closed so thatl water pressurewill force it against the crack to form an effective seal, and forwithdrawing said flexible element from the crack as the 'gate is opened.

2. The combination with a hydraulic gate movable up and down betweenfixed upright surfaces, of a flexible sealing element connected at oneend to the corner of the gate, and means for constantly tensioning saldelement and progressively laying it along the crack at the edge of thegate as thelatter is closed so that the water pressure will force^f itagainst the crack to form an effective seal,

said means beingalso operable to progressively withdraw the flexibleelement ,from the crack as the gate is opened.

3. The combination with a hydraulic gate movable up. and down betweenxed upright surfaces, of a llexible sealing element connected at one endto the corner of the gate,

a counterweight attached to the other end of the eirible element tomaintain the latter under constant tension, and a revoluble elementabout which the intermediate portion of the flexible element passes,said revoluble element'being supported on a -xed base in such a positionthat the flexible element is laid along the crack at the edge 0f thegate as the latter is closed so that the water ressure will force itagainst the crack to orm an effective seal, said flexible element beingwithdrawn from the crack as the gate is d opened.

4. The combination with a structure'havin an opening with uprightsurfaces at the si es thereof and a gate for closing said opening, of avsealing element, and means controlled by the movement of the gate forlaying the sealing Lelement in front of the crack between the gate andthe adjacent upright surface as the gate closes and operable upon theopening of the gate-to` withdraw said sealing element. f

5. The combinationV with a structure having an opening with uprightsurfaces'at the sides thereof, a gate for closing said opening, and achock attached to theside ofthe gate and having an inclined faceconverging outwardly toward the adjacent upright surface,

of a sealingy element, and means controlled by the movement of thegateto la the sealing element between the chock an adjacent edge of theopening as 'the gate closes and to withdraw said sealing element as thegate opens. e

6. The combination with ahydraulic gate surfaces, and a chock attachedto the side of the gate and having an inclined face con vergingoutwardly toward the adjacent upright surface, \of a flexible sealingelement connected to the gate, and means for laying said flexibleelement between the chock and the adjacent xed surface .as the gatel isclosed and for withdrawing said flexible element as the gate is opened.

7. The combination with-a hydraulic gate movable up and down betweenfixed upri ht surfaces, and a chock attached to the side movable up anddownbetween xed uprlght of the gate and having an inclined faceconverging outwardly toward the adjacent u pright surface, of a flexiblesealing element connected xat one end to the corner of the gate, andmeans for constantly` tensioning said element and progressively layingit between the chock and the adjacent fixed surface as the gate isclosed, saidmeans being 4r`also operable to 'withdraw the exible elementas the gate is opened.

8. The combination with a hydraulic gate movable up and down betweeniixed u right surfaces, and a chock attached to t ef side, of the gateand having an inclined face converging' outwardly toward the adjacentupright surface, of a flexible sealing element lconnected at one end tothe corner of the element about which the intermediate portion of theflexible element passes, said revoluble element being supported on afixed base in sucha Aposition that the flexible element is laid betweenthe chock and the adjacent fixed surface as the gate is closed Iand iswithdrawn therefrom as the gate is opened.

In testimony, that I, claim the foregoing as my own, I have hereto aixedmy signa.-

' ture.

ERNEST L. naoonm.

